engleski

Reproductive biology of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus (Pisces, Scorpaenidae) population in the eastern Adriatic Sea

The reproductive parameters of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, collected by trammel nets along the eastern Adriatic coast were analysed by studying the seasonal histology of the gonads, fecundity and other various indices related to reproduction. Females of the investigated species are larger than males and become sexually mature at total lengths of 11.0 cm, while males reach maturation at 10.0 cm of the total length (L50 in both cases). All individuals with total lengths of over 15.0 cm were sexually mature. Gonadosomatic index and histological examination of gonads suggest that spawning takes place between May and September and peaks in July. Developmental stages of germ cells of the black scorpionfish are described for both sexes. Furthermore, histological observations of oocyte development show that the oocyte diameter increases about 40-fold during oogenesis. The fecundity of S. porcus was determined by the size and weight of the individuals and ranged from 1599.90 to 76934.00, with an average of 15438.69 ± SD 1436.00 eggs per female. Average diameter of mature oocytes was 0.49 mm ± SD 0.08.

Scorpaena porcus; reproduction; Adriatic

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